CASBA wins National Lottery support for exciting new project

CASBA has received a National Lottery grant of £44,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for an exciting project, From Institution to Community, to be delivered in South Birmingham.

Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the oral history project will record the experiences of people with learning difficulties, their families and those who supported them through their journey from living in institutions to life in the community.

They will celebrate their stories and ensure their voices are heard for the future through events, workshops and media (film, recordings and written materials). The project will enable volunteers, participants and people in the community to learn more about the important heritage of people with learning difficulties and will provide lots of opportunities to participate in activities and events.

CASBA is a charity that has worked with people with learning difficulties for over 28 years. The charity was formed in 1988 to support people who were leaving Monyhull Hospital to begin new lives in the community. Our history is the history of the people we have served and we are absolutely thrilled to be able to ensure that the memories and experiences of people will be recorded for posterity.

Commenting on the award, Hugh Tibbits, Executive Manager at CASBA said: “We are delighted to have received this support funding, thanks to National Lottery players. We are looking forward to starting the project and working with many different people and groups to celebrate the lives of so many remarkable people.”

Vanessa Harbar, Head of HLF West Midlands, said: “I’m thrilled that National Lottery players’ money can support this project to explore an under-recorded part of our history. ‘From Institution to Community’ will record a turning point in the heritage of learning disability, 27 years on from the Care in the Community Act, and to help to broaden understanding in South Birmingham and beyond.”